OWENSBORO, Ky. (8/19/14) — On Friday, Aug. 22, members of the Owensboro Police Department will be available for community interaction in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

You can meet us from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Chic-Fil-A, located at 4601 Frederica Street, as we host our fourth Coffee with a Cop event.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. The program provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Owensboro Police Department and our work in your neighborhoods.

All community members are invited to attend. The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street.

Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.